Kar glin Zi khro_ A tantric Buddhism concept

Abstract

The aim of the research presented in this publication is to clarify the conceptual history of two elements that are prominent in Tibetan tantrism (Buddhist and "Bon"). The study zooms in on qualitative representations of diverse levels of human consciousness as they are met with in descriptions of so-called intermediate states (bar do-s) and also on more quantitative "mappings" of the human mind, representation by means of a composite arrangement, a host of peaceful and wrathful deities (zhi ba dang khro bo'i lha tshogs, in short, zhi khro). Focal point of this investigation into speculations regarding the concepts bar do and zhi khro is the origin and development of one specific bar do or intermediate state, the bar do of (the confrontation with) reality as it is (chos nyid kyi bar do, in "Bon"-tradition called bon nyid or zhi khro bar do), in which these two concepts appear in conjunction. Speculations regarding this intermediate state are apparently relatively late developments that can be localized in a specific approach to tantric theory and practice called "Great Perfection" (rDzogs chen), current mainly among the old sect of Tibetan Buddhism (rNying ma pa-s) and the so-called "Bon"-traditions of Tibet. "Bon"-traditions could not be fully covered in the research presented here, investigations regarding these highly interesting traditions are in progress and will be published in a subsequent work.